picking the box I was immediately drawn to this picture because it reminded me of the beginning of Mules and Men. “ ‘Man, you know Ah don’t go nowhere unless Ah take my box wid me’ ” (17). In chapter four of Hurston’s novel there is more description of people “picking the box.” It is obvious what is meant by the bow in the image I have selected above. Since the time of slavery in the south, people have had to cope with the issue in different ways. During the Harlem Renaissance music was a focal point. Creating music helped in easing painful memories of the turmoil African Americans experienced.

Colin Carr